I HAVE ONESTAR’S CONFESSION!

Poor Brushpaw! It seems a little harsh that Tallstar is flatout just trying to kick him out, especially when he's actually trying; I hope he's able to pass his assessment, but tbh given how Onestar acts towards Smoke after she gives birth to Darktail I wouldn't be surprised if Brushpaw doesn't pass his second assessment

I'm also a little concerned that Brushpaw might end up being killed by Shadowclan, and maybe that's why we don't hear from him? Or maybe he leaves because of them

As the senior warriors discuss a fox sighted on their territory, Mudclaw approaches with Brushpaw and tells him he isn’t trying hard enough. It had been a few days since his warrior ceremony. Onewhisker tries to cheer his friend up and offers to practice with him. But Brushpaw suggests its better for him to go back to being a kittypet. Onewhisker objects and tells him he can prove his Clanmates wrong.

Tornear and his patrol of Mistmouse and Ashfoot charge into the camp as if a family of foxes are chasing them. Tallstar calmy asks Tornear what happened, who responds. “ShadowClan happened”. Their scent on WindClan’s territory. And worse, they found blood and rabbit fur on the grass – they have been stealing prey. While all the other cats are outraged, Brushpaw looks more confused than angry. Tallstar decides to double patrols along that border. On patrol with Mudclaw, Brushpaw and Ashfoot, they realize there are three ShadowClan cats heading deeper into WindClan territory. They sneak up towards a gully and see Amberleaf, Scorchwind and Finchflight eating a rabbit. Mudclaw reveals himself and greets them. Onewhisker accuses them of stealing prey, which Amberleaf aggressively denies. Finchflight asserts it’s a ShadowClan rabbit. Ashfoot points out that if they were a real hunting patrol, they would take the rabbit back to their Clanmates instead of eating it here. Mudclaw attacks Scorchwind when the latter asks what the WindClan patrol would do to stop them. All the cats start fighting. They defeat the ShadowClan cats, but not before Finchflight badly wounds Brushpaw. Mudclaw acts surprisingly gentle with Brushpaw and tells him he fought like a warrior, but something about what Mudclaw says makes Onewhisker cold with fear.

Mudclaw carries Brushpaw on his back back to the WindClan camp. Bailey visits the medicine cat’s den, Barkface tells her the wound looks worse than it is and has her fetch cobweb and marigold. Meanwhile, Barkface quietly tells Onewhisker that he is concerned Brushpaw’s wound is very deep and might get infected. Barkface gives him poppy seeds and he rests.

Brushpaw dies. Its been 2 weeks since the battle. Every day he had gotten worse and worse. Eulogizing Brushpaw, Tallstar mentions that the whole Clan liked him. The whole Clan is in sorrow. Onewhisker feels guilty for not letting him return to be a kittypet. Barkface says the words that would send him into StarClan, giving Onewhisker peace that his friend would still make it to StarClan despite being born a kittypet. After the elders bury him, Bailey tells Tallstar she will return to Twolegplace. Tallstar kindly accepts. Tallstar tells her not to blame herself and that its his fault – kittypets do not belong in the Clans. He has Onewhisker escort her home. Onewhisker blames himself for his death and apologizes but Bailey tells him it was her fault and calls her son Leo, not Brushpaw.

He spots Smoke when they reach Twolegplace. Smoke asks them where Brushpaw is, Bailey interrupts and asks where Melody is. Smoke, surprised by her brusque tone, tells her she is in her den and Bailey brushes past her. Onewhisker tells Smoke that Brushpaw is dead. When he asks, Smoke tells him it isn’t his fault. He breaths in her sweet scent and purrs.

never have I been so upset to be correct




RIP Brushpaw

RIP Brushpaw! And with plenty of hindsight already, yeah, I really don't blame Onestar for not even trying to talk to Tallstar about Smoke if the last time they had done it had gotten this bad. Highly doubt he would've rejected a queen though, but still.